Viral Oncology Program

Globally, it’s estimated that infectious agents are the root cause of 1 in every 5 deaths from cancer.* This is particularly relevant to Louisiana with its high rate of HIV and cervical cancer deaths. As more and more cancers are being associated with viruses, including the type that took the life of Al Copeland, Sr., the Copeland-LSUHSC Partnership in Viruses, Cancer, and Immunotherapy was born. The partnership focuses research on cancers caused by viruses as well as on the immune system to discover how to prevent, better treat, and eventually cure them. The initiative builds upon the strengths of LSUHSC faculty – expertise in viruses as well as in how the immune system fights off infection.